Craig James Firing: A Rising Tide of Hostility Over Marriage

ENOUGH! Week after week we hear of some new, outlandish discrimination against Christians because they dare to adhere to the Word of God and not deviate on what God Himself calls sin. Articulate that truth in the marketplace of ideas, and it just might cause you your job or your business.

This past week, we heard the stunning story of Craig James, former NFL quarterback for the New England Patriots, getting sacked from his job at Fox Sports – after one day on the job - because he dared to declare a biblical truth. Here is the story.

When James walked off the gridiron, as a committed Christian, he decided that he would try to influence culture through politics. He gave Ted Cruz a real run for his money in a political primary in Texas. During the course of his campaign, James was asked (along with all the candidates) what he thought about marriage and human sexuality. Knowing the research is on his side, James said that no one is born gay. He also went on to declare biblical truth and said, "...[T]hey are going to have to answer to the Lord for their actions," and pledged not to support same-sex unions.

Sport Illustrated reported that James was hired regionally by Fox without anyone consulting with upper level management. When a spokesperson from Fox Sports did finally speak, he stated, "We just asked ourselves how Craig's statements would play in our human resources department. He couldn't say those things here." Couldn't say those things? What things? That no one is born gay? That we have all sinned and we are accountable for our sins, regardless of what that sin might be?

Fox Sports apparently loved James, before they heard what he said while on the campaign trail. James was being brought on as a college football studio analyst to cover college football postgame shows and appear on segments of Fox Sports Southwest's Big 12 wrap-up show. An Executive Producer said, "He's a talented broadcaster who I've admired throughout his career. His knowledge of college football and the experience he brings as an analyst will be a tremendous asset to our coverage." That was before the 'sin thing.'

We are witnessing the new "acceptable" form of discrimination. If you are a Christian who believes what God has said, that marriage is the union of one MAN and one WOMAN – and if you believe sexual expression is allowed ONLY within that model (anything else is called sin by God's standard) then you are deemed to be a bigot or worse, a hater. But more than the label of bigotry and hatred, Christians are being fined, losing their jobs or facing court martial's because of what they believe. This is a dangerous new low for our country and for the freedom to believe what you want to believe.

I sincerely hope that people who believe, as Craig James does, will contact foxsports.com/feedback and let them know why the bigotry and discrimination they engaged in by sacking James for his beliefs – not what he said on the air but what he believes – is unacceptable. There is no question that Christians are now systematically being relegated to the position of second -class citizens! As we continue to witness this rising tide of hostility, may we remember that silence is not an option.

Janet Parshall is the host of IN THE MARKET, a nationally syndicated radio program carried on the Moody Broadcasting Network.